Good Idea? -- VeloMobile

[Velotracer]

10,000 to 12,000 dollars......Good Grief !!

[bladder1010]

Yeah, it's *just*like* a Bugatti, or a racing car -- just a whole lot more gay.

$13,000 for a kiddie car? Really? Does it come with a little basket to carry your Barbie dolls?

[MrAnthonyRizzo]

Vellomobiles would be practical everyday tools if it weren’t for the fact that they are priced so that only the rich can afford them, around $30,000. All they are is a recumbent cycle with a carbon fiber shell. The problem is exasperated when you check the prices on recumbent, those are not even priced reasonably. It is economic discrimination!

[rmickev]

@MrAnthonyRizzo I'm not sure where you pricing information is taken from, but velomobiles start at around $5,000. Not exactly cheap, but considerably less than $30,000.

[MrAnthonyRizzo]

@rmickev A high end bicycle or three wheels recumbent will run around $5,000. Add the other bells and whistles including electric assist and an enclosed shell and you better believe they can cost $30,000. Here are a couple of examples that far exceed the above amount: BlueVelo and Go-One3- base price $10,000-$15,000 depending on models. Remember that these are high end toys for the rich. They are not designed or priced for the eco-friendly, average, daily commuter.

[rmickev]

@MrAnthonyRizzo I see a base price of $5,650 for one of the models on the site you've noted. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree and leave it to others to do their own math.

[MrAnthonyRizzo]

@rmickev (3/3) As such they should be priced accordingly. If I can buy a bicycle at WalMart for $200 and I can buy a new car for under $8,000 and a Velomobile is halfway between the two then its price should be no more than $3,500 fully equipped. But all you can buy for almost twice that at $5,000 is a basic trike with a shell and that my friend I can build for a couple of hundred dollars.

[MrAnthonyRizzo]

@rmickev (2/3) Understand that Velomobiles are marketed as eco-friendly alternatives to cars. Sure you can buy one for $5,000 but you can also just opt for a tadpole recumbent for half that and build your own shell for it but that will not bring you close to the creature comforts of a car and that is what velomobiles claim to offer. Velos supposedly bridge the gap between cars and bicycles as H/EPV Hybrids.

[MrAnthonyRizzo]

@rmickev (1/3) Agreed, but I believe you are quoting the price for a lower end model. The Blue Velo Cab Bike, 14 Speed with no electric assist starts at $10,750. The Go-One Evolution with no top and no electric assist starts at $20 shy from $13,000. When you add features such as electric assist, hard tops, solar chargers, custom wheels for different terrains, regenerative bicycle brakes and so on the price can double.

[dodgerlives]

Whatever your views on the environment or cyclists rights to share the road, or if you think this thing is awesome or stupid as hell you would have to be INSANE to ride it on a major roadway. But I see that people are in the related videos, so for God's sake be careful out there.

[ehilado06]

it has a MONO COCK

[coycoy75basualdo]

Its terrible to pay that price for those vehicle its nut

[ingesumadre]

i whant all of that!

AND MORE!

[anim8ted923]

neat vehicle. Kind of silly report.

[21centuryg]

too expensive.

[JaleelJohanson62]

@21centuryg No doubt that the cost is a bit prohibitive.

[scrillah81]

Hell yeah this is a good idea!!!

[barmuseummartin]

She is so perverse! But velomobile is great invent!

[CullyJ]

I'd definitely prefer velocipede over a velomobile!

[CullyJ]

I'd definitely prefer velocipede over a velomobile!

[CullyJ]

I definitely prefer veloCIPEDE!

[MewFushisDad]

I've had my Bluevelo Quest for 54 weeks. 7,258 + miles

[HeyImKli4d]

There are holes. That is reverse.

[MewFushisDad]

@HeyImKli4d Yes

[iciavosser]

All you dummies making comments about the velomobile getting in the way just need to shut the hell up. It's not any more obstructive than a bicycle. Holy Christ. What you all should be aghast about is the PRICE! $10,000.00? WTH?

[TheFiery]

@iciavosser There are regular bicycles with price in excess of $10000. True, there's not too many of them that are that expensive, but they do exist.

[c33r0k33]

very cool... I wonder if the rider notices the weight difference between this and a regular recumbent?

[MewFushisDad]

@c33r0k33 A regular recumbent would be left far behind.

[MewFushisDad]

I've had my Bluevelo Quest for 41 weeks and cranked out 5,400 + miles so far.

An incredible piece of machinery, a work of art and the most efficient means of human transportation ever made.

[HeyImKli4d]

@MewFushisDad How fast?

[MewFushisDad]

@HeyImKli4d 20 mph into a 20 to 30 mph head wind. 30 +/- mph on level ground.

The slightest down hill 40 + mph. On a big hill near here I went over 55 mph and scared the shit out of my self trying to make that slight curve at the bottom of the hill.

There are 2 different ways to climb hill. Approach them slowly and spin in the low gear. I've ridden just over 7,000 miles in my first year.

[ProJanitor]

i mean that shit would be fucking obnoxious to hold people up like that. they ain't exactly slow but they sure as hell ain't fast lmfao

[experimental0000]

@leaualorin and arogant as well. aisde from the ridiculous price of a velo it's a great vehicle.

[comicozy87]

I drove in one of these recently and it was the most fun I ever had riding a bike. Such a smooth ride and goes fast. I want one!! Don't knock it till you try it.

[velodudect]

The only thing keeping me from riding something like this is the drivers on the road who make efficient vehicles (like this) unsafe. I'd build my own too, not pay 10k

[CBR1000RRPilot]

What a piece of 10,000 dollar SHIT!!

[ProJanitor]

some assholes drive on the road with these things

[assym2006]

@ProJanitor you shouldn't they ? you don't own the roads they have the right to use them too.

[ProJanitor]

@assym2006 well our taxes pay for their upkeep so we do own the roads lawl!

but yeah dude, don't give me that shit. you know your ass would be furious if you were stuck behind one of these fucking things if you were trying to respond to a booty call or some shit

[assym2006]

@ProJanitor not at all , I dont get up set by a slow truck or a biycicel in front of me either.

1) life is too short or worry about such things

1) they also pay tax's and have as much right to use that road as I do.

[ProJanitor]

@assym2006 yeah that's why i said that we pay taxes.

Life's the longest thing everyone experiences baby! woooooohooooooooo

i never see bicyclers on highways and i'm sure it's for the same reason i stand by

[assym2006]

@ProJanitor So you think that other people should not have the right to use the road just in case they get in the way of your petrol guzzering , planet killing monstrosity of an ugle car ? what a selfish person you are.

[ProJanitor]

@assym2006 quit being a fag and think about if an ambulance was trying to get past

[assym2006]

@ProJanitor eubbish then you just move out of the way of the ambulance just like ever one else does (accept probable you)

So wanting to reduce pollution and save the planet makes you homosexual does it ? Then I would rather be homosexual than a Neanderthal like you.

[ProJanitor]

@assym2006 alright how about the ambulance that's trying to get past your stupid ass while responding to some other dipshit that got hit by a mac truck while riding in one of these things?

[ProJanitor]

@assym2006 I mean for fuck's sake look at the title of the video. even they're not even sure if it's a "good idea?"

[RealityCheck05]

@assym2006 It isn't as simple as you make it out to be in your judgemental, self-righteous, arrogant way. The fact of the matter is that by slowing motor traffic down, a cyclist can actually cause more fuel to be burned because others are forced to use their brakes and drive in a lower gear than they could otherwise.

Furthermore, the "planet" will be here long after the last human is dead and gone. It is pretentious to suggest that we are so important as to hold Earth's fate in our hands.

[assym2006]

@RealityCheck05

the planet will be , but if ool like you keep pointing the world mankind will not be. He has as much right to drive one of these as unforchanatly you have to drive a huge 4x4 petrol drinking monster. If you dont like tha tough thats your problem get over it.

[RealityCheck05]

@assym2006 If mankind is in trouble, let that be the focus of our discussions. There is no need for pretense. The foregone conclusion that I have a problem with what anyone else drives is as incorrect as the assumption that I drive a 4x4 or anything else with poor mileage. If you want your arguments to be more effective than your efforts to "save the planet" try addressing people's statements (preferably after thinking critically) rather than making ill informed flames.

[assym2006]

@RealityCheck05 I was not talking to you. 

[Xenomman]

10000 dollar ur crazy?

[Sealy1986]

WOW 10,000 bucks i just keep my 250 dollar bike for little longer lol.

[TheMightyAntar]

What a useless video. It might have been worth watching if the reporter had attempted to answer the question. Is it any good?

[MewFushisDad]

She's not a reporter. It's an entertainment show that does fluff pieces and she fits the bill perfectly. Her job is to titillate and entertain. I have a Quest and I liked that it got the word out but she is a flake. A cute flake, but a flake none the less.

[wsbill14224]

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. One one hand I think they're cool but on the other I think they're an accident waiting to happen. No one will see you.

[MewFushisDad]

Not so. These things stand out like a sore thumb. In the first two weeks I had mine, I had my picture taken more times than I've had in my whole life. It hasn't let up. I stop and a crowd forms. I pulled into a grocery store parking lot and 6 cars followed me into the lot. Motorists have followed me home half a dozen times.

Almost 2,000 miles and not once has a motorist shown me anything but respect. They are so fast, most folks think it's motorized. Plus I ride right out in the travel lane.

[wsbill14224]

@MewFushisDad I said I think they're cool, but I live in NY and I can see myself being run over by a pickup, which is what most people drive around here, and I ride a 500cc bike... I feel you man! Good luck and have fun on it!

[MewFushisDad]

@wsbill14224 Crazy Drivers.

Summer of 2011 there will be 30 or so of those velomobiles riding cross country from Portland Oregon to Washington DC. I hope to accompany them with my velomobile.

I posted my first video of my Velomobile Quest. Check it out.

This Sunday I will be heading to Cape Cod and ride 130 some odd miles, filming along the way.

[amandajoyceisabella]

I want one, but wouldn't it be dangerous if you were in front of a 4 Wheel Drive?! They wouldn't be able to see you.

[cemmas]

while these guys talks about the environment their lives becomes pathetic.

They are hopeless

[MewFushisDad]

How so?

[assym2006]

@cemmas so saving the planet is pathetic is it ?

[donmarinelo]

$ 10 000 .... FUCK!!!

[Fredjegek]

So order it in Europe and ship it yourself

[Porsche917LH]

Very safe on the road. Bike lanes are deathtraps you uneducated ped.

[ScratchmasterJ]

"Oh, Jesus!"-------> CRASH. lol

[andhemills]

Even the reporter clearly states "This thing here has THREE wheels" as he interjects, "Yes, this here BICYCLE..." LOL. Dictionary disagrees!

Anyways, I have a Volae Tour bicycle and I'm interested in putting a fairing (body) on it. I crashed once on it and there's no way to bail, so I need good protection. It's between that and a body suit. The trikes are appealing, safer, won't flip over on ice! For that price, I expect an electric motor for the uphill climbs.

[MewFushisDad]

My North American, Bluevelo built Velomobile Quest arrived two days ago.

A machine of function and art perfectly combined.

[yawakoben]

why are they calling this a "bike" as in "two-wheeled?" Semantics I know but still...

[MewFushisDad]

I know under Massachusetts (where I live) State Law, a bicycle is defined as being with 3 wheels or less.

You could call it a trike but it would still fall under the category of a bicycle.

Velomobile owners in Europe, or at least those I've been in contact with have no problem referring to velomobiles as bikes.

[tomcatfranks]

They're just using the word 'bike' as slang for human powered vehicles. Really, it'd be 'trike'. But people naturally put anything pedal-powered in the general category of 'bikes'.

[MewFushisDad]

I plan to ride mine on the road in traffic at the speed of traffic. At the speed this vehicle is capable of, a bike trail would not be a safe place to ride

Would you ride a conventional bicycle on a public street? I do every day with my children..

In 2007 698 cyclists were killed in the U.S compared to 4,654 pedestrians, 21,647 car drivers, 8,657 passengers and 5,154 motorcyclists.

This big yellow velomobile will be so blatantly conspicuous it will be far safer than a conventional bicycle.

[tomcatfranks]

Yep, alot of people feel it's too small to ride safely, but a rider on a conventional bike makes a much thinner silhouette. This has a bigger surface area, more eye-catching, and the main thing is to be seen by motorists.

[MewFushisDad]

Not for me. It's a state of the art piece of art.

[drumzstix666]

The cheapest velomobile available for purchase is the Aurora Velomobile at Cambie Cycles. Its $5500 Cdn with an electric assist. Yea its still expensive but its the lowest it goes without a kit.

[Drazdiak]

Gee my heart stoped at 2:33!

[Charles2337]

Dildo. xD

[MewFushisDad]

Yes one could do that, but in October I will have a new, North American built Velomobile Quest delivered to my home just like the yellow one Ray is riding in the video.

It is worth every cent I have paid for it......(-;

I count the days

[Califflorida]

She's horny.

[assym2006]

@indiasucksalways I have search for years to find a woman obsessed with sex :O)

[Ian7570]

if they were in the $3000 range i would buy one.

[MewFushisDad]

You could always buy your self a recumbent trike and get some kind of fabric body on it.

They couldn't build velomobiles such as are in the video for $3000.

[Charlitos1988]

how much does it cost on dollars?

[Ian7570]

$7000 Cdn ($6400 Usd) for the Aurora without a motor so I'll have to keep on riding my mountain bike for now

[MewFushisDad]

The yellow velomobile as seen in the video with options and shipping is around $8,000 American dollars.

[go0gles]

We build and race them for around that. U should look up the HPV series

[iorixs]

chick get your mind out of the gutter. 10,000 zoolex is way too much. maybe 2000 would be more reasonable then people would ride them a lot i think

[Chlapichlapo]

It remains 10x cheaper than a car.

[teuntjeremi]

I just bought one for 4800 euros, a mango. Thats tax included. New it is 5500 euro.

[HPVideos101]

Bull shit those hunks of junk are 10 to 12 grand!!!!

[CJMazerati]

this lady is sooo horny

[twilwel]

A velomobile pays for itself because of the high second hand price. It's great for commuting and doing groceries and can replace a (second) car. Of course it's not for everybody, but when you're used to biking a lot.....

[Yonktech]

@twilwel lol where would you put the groceries?

[twilwel]

@Yonktech well, what about inside? there is plenty of room in some (not all) velomobiles. In the Mango I once had 30kg of groceries in the back and beside me

[Yonktech]

@twilwel idk about any other models but from pictures it doesnt look to cargo friendly but idk never used one

[twilwel]

@Yonktech I understand that it doesn't look like it can carry much. A crate of beer is not possible to get inside because of the shape, but 10 sixpacks are no problem. So the secret is not to use a suitcase but neatly pack everything inside. I usually put the smaller items in small bags, because that stows more efficiently. The groceries, I put them in loose and when I'm home I get a crate and put everything in there and carry it in the house.

[Yonktech]

@twilwel your making me want to buy one lol if only i didnt live 25 miles from work

[DecimusAquila]

I thought it seemed pretty practical until they said 10,000 dollers :/

[Aquapussy2008]

They arent all that expensive

[MewFushisDad]

I will be placing an order for a Quest, the yellow model Ray was riding just after Christmas.

I'm already planning trips in it. I can't wait.

[kimchido]

dude she wants to suck your monocock

[tomcatfranks]

I don't understand the high price of these either. I made a velomobile from scrap that rides great for under 30 bucks. I've yet to build a body for it.

[sputnikII]

there are several things to take in to account

1) they are hand build(robots build cars)

2) number units of build(cost pr. unit)

3) development costs

4) u have to earn a profit.

that's sums it up (c:

[tomcatfranks]

With a small enough company ie; out of a garage rather than a big factory warehouse, a person could build these a few at a time, to sell at around $400-$500. If you built smart, use colorplast instead of fiberglas for the body, as well as recycled bicycle parts, you could build them easily, while keeping the price affordable. And there would be a good profit for you! :)

[iorixs]

get to work, ill put in my order

[peestandingup]

Its a great idea, but $10K! No way. That price isn't justifiable for most people. Especially to lazy americans. They would just buy a cheap car for that.

I'd love to have one, but no way for that price.

[klegster]

Has nothing to do with being lazy, it has to do with price compared to options, it is human powered and only 1 seat, why would anyone pay that much for that option when they can pay for a 2 or more seater that does not require human power? If the price was lower and more people can be in it, then it would sell and work nicely.

[LittleJohnnyShow]

I agree; if they were cheaper, I would buy one in a heart beat!

[tomcatfranks]

How much would you pay for one? What would be a fair price for people? Just curious

[LittleJohnnyShow]

Well, fair is a tough thing to figure. If they could be purchased for $500, a lot more people would be able and willing to purchase them, then at $10,000.

[2008marian]

A high quality bicycle costs more than $ 500. But I also think that $ 10 000 is way too much.

[ninobur]

An old answer that has current relevance. Way to go!

[nestofdragons]

A old-student of me could use my bike for several months towards his new school. At first he was laughed at. Having a scooter was normal to them. A velomobile was not. Anyway ... he earned the respect of them all ... by outrunning them each time. :D He did tops of 63 km/h!

[nestofdragons]

If you want to kill some of your costs, the velomobile is a right answer. One user in Belgium calculated that within three years he would have earned the high cost of the velomobile back. Sadly I had to ride too many km (100 km a day) after changing jobs to still be able to continue riding my velomobile.

[Yousignhere]

Not really a new bike. They have been around for years.

[tomcatfranks]

Since about the 1920's, in Germany

[nestofdragons]

You are right. Did you know that the forerunner of the famous Messerschmitt KR200 microcar was ... a velomobile? Most only know the motorized forerunner, but ... even before that it was powered with human power, a velomobile.

Crisis did lead to that kind of thinking. Euh ... will this crisis do the same for those who don't like to pay fuel?????

[FatCalicoCat]

I rode my bike fro a few Kilometres beside a guy in Toronto( and I'm pretty sure it was this guy). People were taking photos of the Velo and

saying things like "what the crap is that?" It

looks like bloody fun and I really wanted one.

You can even add an electric motor for uphill rides.

[nefa2ious]

I want one for the winter. =D!!! =D! =D!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE­EEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[twilwel]

I own two, so it must be a good idea :-)

[peglegsam]

lol, great video, stupid idea :)

[DrMattDestruction]

very good idea!

[stanz70]

hmmm...

[ASECONDCHANCEAROUND]

LOL CUTE BIKE !